Korean Chevrolet Spark awarded Grade 1 in frontal offset crash tests

The Korea Automobile Insurance Repair Research and Training Center (KART), a research subsidiary of KIDI, conducted crash tests at a speed of 64 km/h, during which 40 percent of the total width of each vehicle was driven into a deformable barrier on the driver side. The Matiz Creative was the only vehicle tested that was rated Grade 1.

KIDI’s offset crash test has six categories: head/neck, chest, left leg/foot, right leg/foot, body structure, and dummy kinematics. Each vehicle tested receives a grade of one to four, with Grade 1 being the highest and safest. KIDI’s test applies the same methodology as the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), a renowned automobile safety research organization based in the United States.

The Matiz Creative is the first mini-car to achieve a Grade 1 rating. Only four vehicles out of 13 vehicles tested between 2006 and 2008 had ever been certified Grade 1. The Matiz Creative also was first in lower body protection, while most compact vehicles fared poorly.

“Safety and the protection of our customers were priorities in the development of our new global mini-vehicle from day one. The test results confirm we are on the right track,” said Dongyoun Sohn, GM Daewoo Chief Engineer for Mini-Vehicles. “With its segment-transcending safety, we’re confident that our global mini will achieve high scores in other mature markets such as the U.S. and Europe.”

The Matiz Creative’s body is the stiffest in the mini segment; 66.5 percent of its body is constructed of high-strength steel or 16 percent is comprised of ultra-high-strength steel, a first-in-segment application. Its four-point mounted long engine cradle protects passengers in the event of a head-on collision by optimally dispersing crash loads. The use of H-spider type ultra-high-strength steel bars in the underbody prevents severe deformation in the event of a side collision. The tailor-welded blanking method used in the B-pillar ensures maximum protection of passengers’ upper bodies. High-strength steel in the rear and rear crash boxes minimize the impact of whiplash.

The roof is especially stiff, for maximum rollover protection. The Matiz Creative can withstand up to four times its weight – which goes far beyond the industry regulation of one and a half times.

With its innovative styling, benchmark safety, great fuel economy, excellent ride and handling, and practical convenience features, the Matiz Creative has been generating tremendous interest from consumers since sales began early this month.